“It was ironic to be calleda ‘rookie,’ when I’d beenautocrossing for over 20 years atthat point,’” Mark laughs abouthis Rookie of the Year title. Inthe same breath, however, he’squick to point out that he agreeswith the SCCA offering suchrecognition. “The competitionis really intense at the SoloNational Championships, soI can understand why there isa Rookie of the Year for theNational Championships – it’s acompletely different event.”Ironic or not, that year, Markexplains, was breathtaking. “2014was a dream come true,” herecalls. “To finally make it to theSolo National Championships andthen win it – I took second thatyear in G Street for the ProSoloseason championship and thenwon the National Championship.

But that year’s journeynearly didn’t happen. In fact,with Bridgestone. He’s also builtrelationships with the likes ofKarcepts and AutoXGraphics.com, which come in additionto support he already receivedfrom Strano Performance Parts.But none of this happened outof thin air. Truth be known – andthis is the part I didn’t knowprior to chatting with Mark – hisjourney began decades earlier.“I’ve had a love for cars sinceI was a little kid playing with HotWheels and riding my big wheel,”Mark tells me the day after thephoto shoot as we sit outside aPeet’s Coffee near San Francisco.But while the love of cars existed,growing up in the mountains inthe small town of Twain Harte,nestled between California’s oakforest and the Sierra Nevada,meant opportunities to stretchhis automotive legs were rare.“There weren’t go-kart centersaround the corner or anywhereI think I should forget aboutNationals – we’ve got too muchgoing on and money’s tight,”he says. “She looked me inthe eye, and she said, ‘Nope.You’re going. Through yourentire life you’ve been talkingabout going and you’ve nevermade it. You have a great car,you’ve been winning events,and you’ve got a great sponsor.If not now, when? You’re going.We’ll figure it out.’ So, I went.”Mark’s 2014 Solo Nationalswin ultimately led to thesponsorship he currently holds

THE GOOD TIMES

(ABOVE) Mark has no shortage of autocross trophies, but when pressed for which
mean the most to him, he points to his 2014 Solo Nationals win and Rookie of the Year
awards, plus the ProSolo JCJ Cup and accompanying Kiesel guitar he won in 2017.

as is often the case, it took
a significant other to ensure
the stars would align.

“In 2014, I started doing the
full gamut of West Coast National
Solo events – San Diego, the El
Toro ProSolo, and both of the
events at Crows Landing – and
I swept them all,” he tells me of
the year that elevated his name
from Regional competitor to a
National contender. “That year,
Sam Strano was helping me a lot,
and my G Street Ford Focus ST
was working awesome. And then,
in July, right around the time you
have to start reserving hotels for
the Solo Nationals, money was
tight, and my job was demanding.

I remember thinking about it
one day while driving down the
freeway; I just can’t do it, I thought.